Agrandissement de l’École Barclay

2014-enpublic-institutional-health-and-research-institution

Harmoniously integrated with the existing building, the expansion of École Barclay, in the commission scolaire de Montréal, completed by NFOE et associés architectes, includes 14 new classrooms, a micro-computing and robotics room, a daycare space, a multi-purpose room, an administrative sector, and a new gymnasium. From the outside, the expansion connects seamlessly, the new entity is relevant, and the old building’s language has been respected without being copied. The jury highlighted the originality of the way the brickwork was echoed, while interpreted in a contemporary manner with a highly graphic lozenge pattern. Inside, the link between the new section and the existing heritage building is an open space with windows on three floors. This lets not only the rooms in the old building on that side to continue to benefit from natural light but also bathes the new walkway in it. Surrounding this space are windows that allow curious onlookers to catch a glimpse of school life taking place on the different floors. NFOE et associés architectes used coloured shapes to highlight the building’s dynamic volumes. The presence of colour, used parsimoniously, is also an invitation to discovery, and this fun approach was highlighted by the jury for its appropriateness in the context of a school. In keeping with the educational vocation of the building, the project also implemented several sustainable development measures. They include reducing the building’s energy consumption, improving its thermal performance, installing a heat wheel heat recovery system, a white roof, and a vegetation screen.